Universal toothbrush holder

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a hygienic toothbrush holder. In several embodiments the invention is a hygienic toothbrush holder with enhanced drainage features comprising a sloped interior floor for drainage of fluids to an attached extended lip so that fluid can proceed into a sink or other drainage system. In several embodiments it is necessary to have a raised base so that the extended lip can clear a lip of a sink. Other surfaces of the toothbrush holder could be sloped as well to further aid in fluid drainage.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/179,047 filed May 18, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to tooth brush holders, more particularly, this invention relates to a hygienic toothbrush holder with a raised base and an extended lip for drainage of fluids into a sink or similar drain.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, the fluids that typically cover a toothbrush after use and rinsing would run to the base of the toothbrush holder with nowhere to go, except maybe onto the bathroom counter. Typically, toothbrush holders are either a rack or cup type toothbrush holder. If a cup type toothbrush holder is used the fluids run off the toothbrush into the base of the holder, then the fluids stay there until they evaporate. If a rack type toothbrush holder is used the fluids run off the toothbrush onto the base, then the fluids run onto the sink counter or other surface.

Therefore it is desirable to have a toothbrush holder that prevents the creation of these unhygienic conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a hygienic toothbrush holder. In several embodiments the invention is a hygienic toothbrush holder with enhanced drainage features comprising a sloped interior floor for drainage of fluids to an attached extended lip so that fluid can proceed into a sink or other drainage system. In several embodiments it is necessary to have a raised base so that the extended lip can clear a lip of a sink. Other surfaces of the toothbrush holder could be sloped as well to further aid in fluid drainage.

The present invention in several embodiments also includes means for hygienically storing other hygienic items such as toothpaste, floss and cups. The various preferred embodiments of the present invention can hold one to ten toothbrushes. In the more preferred embodiments of the present invention, two to six tooth brushes are stored by means of individual openings in horizontally or sloped positioned planar surfaces.

The present invention could be constructed from any substantially rigid material, particularly preferable materials are plastics, polymers, metals, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, fiberglass, carbon fiber, rubber, hard rubber, ceramic, porcelain, wood, bamboo, cedar, teak and composite materials.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a toothbrush holder that drains fluids from one or more toothbrushes into a sink or drain.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush holder that drains fluids from toothbrushes, dental floss and other objects into a sink or drain.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush holder for holding and organizing toothbrushes, dental floss, toothpaste and other dental items.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush holder capable of draining fluids into a sink drain or other drain.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of one of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention according to another embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-5.

There is a need for a hygienic toothbrush holder with improved drainage.

Accordingly, a toothbrush holder with raised base 10, extended lip 12 and sloped interior floor 14 is described in the figures.

For example, reference is made to FIG. 1, toothbrush holder includes raised base 10, extended lip 12 and sloped interior floor 14 to improve drainage into a sink or other drain. The current toothbrush holder includes toothpaste tube opening 16 for storing a tube of toothpaste 34. The toothbrush holder in the current embodiment also includes dental floss cradle 18 with drainage holes 20. The upper platform 23 is sloped to facilitate drainage and tooth brush holes 22 are also included for holding one or more toothbrushes. Middle platform 24 could be sloped to facilitate drainage with holes 50, which prevent a toothbrush from sliding out.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which shows a cutaway view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. Sloped interior floor 14 is shown with attached extended lip 12, both parts are sloped to facilitate drainage of fluids from toothbrush 30, dental floss 32 and toothpaste tube 34. Preferably, sloped interior floor 14 is sloped at an angle between one and forty degrees. More preferably, sloped interior floor 14 is sloped at an angle of approximately 1.75 degrees. Preferably, extended lip 12 is also sloped at a downward angle to facilitate drainage. More preferably extended lip 12 is sloped downward at one or more degrees. Preferably, raised base 10 is at least one inch tall so that the extended lip is above the edge of the sink the toothbrush holder is being used with. In several embodiments raised base 10 could be at least 4 inches tall. It is also preferable that raised base 10 is constructed of a solid material to increase the stability of the toothbrush holder. Although, raised base 10 could be hollow in construction to reduce material costs.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which shows a view of the rear of the toothbrush holder. Interior 42 of the toothbrush holder is hollow and the back is substantially open to allow for easy cleaning. Middle platform 24 could be sloped to facilitate drainage with holes 50, which keep the toothbrushes in place.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which shows a view of the toothbrush holder being used with a sink 40 as intended. After toothbrush 30 is used and place in toothbrush holder, sloped interior floor 14 with extended lip 12 facilitate drainage of fluids into sink 40. Base 10 provides adequate clearance allowing extended lip 12 to direct fluids directly into sink 40. The quick evacuation of fluids prevents odors and mold from developing in the toothbrush holder.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which shows another preferred embodiment of the invention. The toothbrush holder includes raised base 10, extended lip 12 and sloped interior floor 14 to improve drainage into a sink or other drain. The current toothbrush holder includes toothpaste tube opening 16 for storing a tube of toothpaste 34. The toothbrush holder in the current embodiment also includes dental floss cradle 18 with drainage holes 20. Upper platform 23 maybe sloped for better drainage and tooth brush holes 22 are included for holding one or more toothbrushes. Optionally, middle sloped platform 24 is included with securing tooth brush holes 50 to keep tooth brushes in place. Middle sloped platform 24 can also be sloped similarly to sloped interior floor 14 to aid in drainage. In several preferred embodiments tooth brush holes 22 are larger than securing tooth brush holes 50. This embodiment also includes cup holder 52, for holding cup 54, which could be a 1 to 4 inch diameter opening. Preferably, the cup holder is approximately 2.5 inches in diameter and is circular in shape. The particular embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is capable of holding six toothbrushes, but it is envisioned that the invention could be adapted to hold any number of toothbrushes. Specially envisioned are embodiments capable of holding one to ten toothbrushes.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

1. A toothbrush holder comprising: a base of at least one inch in height, a means of holding at least one toothbrush above said base.
 2. The toothbrush holder of claim 1, wherein said base is sloped to facilitate drainage of fluid from said means of holding at least one toothbrush.
 3. The toothbrush holder of claim 1, further comprising an extended lip attached to said base and, wherein said base is sloped to facilitate drainage of fluid from said means of holding at least one toothbrush.
 4. The toothbrush holder of claim 1, wherein said base is hollow in construction and wherein said base is sloped to facilitate drainage of fluid from said means of holding at least one toothbrush.
 5. The toothbrush holder of claim 1, further comprising an extended lip attached to said base and, wherein said base is hollow in construction and wherein said base is sloped to facilitate drainage of fluid from said means of holding at least one toothbrush.
 6. The toothbrush holder of claim 4, further comprising a dental floss cradle.
 7. The toothbrush holder of claim 4, further comprising a means for storing a tube of toothpaste.
 8. The toothbrush holder of claim 4, further comprising a cup holder.
 9. The toothbrush holder of claim 4, wherein said means of holding at least one toothbrush above said base comprises at least one opening in a sloped planar surface.
 10. A toothbrush holder comprising: a base of at least one inch in height, a means of holding at least one toothbrush above said base, an extended lip attached to said base and, wherein said base is sloped to facilitate drainage of fluid from said means of holding at least one toothbrush.
 11. The toothbrush holder of claim 10, wherein said base is hollow in construction.
 12. The toothbrush holder of claim 10, further comprising a dental floss cradle.
 13. The toothbrush holder of claim 10, further comprising a means for storing a tube of toothpaste.
 14. The toothbrush holder of claim 10, further comprising a cup holder.
 15. A toothbrush holder comprising: a base of at least one inch in height, at least one planar surface with at least one opening attached to said base capable of holding at least one toothbrush above said base, an extended lip attached to said base and, wherein said base is sloped to facilitate drainage of fluid from said at least one planar surface.
 16. The toothbrush holder of claim 15, wherein said at least one planar surface with at least one opening attached to said base capable of holding at least one toothbrush above said base is sloped to facilitate drainage.
 17. The toothbrush holder of claim 15, wherein said base is hollow in construction.
 18. The toothbrush holder of claim 10, further comprising a dental floss cradle.
 19. The toothbrush holder of claim 10, further comprising a means for storing a tube of toothpaste.
 20. The toothbrush holder of claim 10, further comprising a cup holder. 